Ainsley's Second Birthday

Ainsley turned two about six weeks ago.  (For the record, we didn't forget to celebrate it.  We just have been behind on blogging about it.)  It was a fun time because it was the day before her cousins left for yet another continent, so we got to celebrate with family!  It also happens that her grandpa's birthday was a three days before hers, so we did a double party.  Ainsley got cupcakes and Grandpa got flan.  

I've decided second birthdays are pretty fun.  Ainsley had no idea what was going on -- or that you don't touch the flame on the candle -- but she was game.  It didn't take long for all the older kids to help her along with difficult concepts, such as opening the wrapping paper.  Things only improved when she recognized some of her presents -- the new Pete the Cat book and Toy Story toys.  While her older sister and cousins were busy trying on their new headbands and t-shirts from Grandma Ive, Ainsley was completely engrossed in getting her Jessie to ride Bullseye.  

What to say about Ains?... She loves to laugh.  She declares a number of things "funny" and chuckles to herself.  If anybody else is laughing, she joins right in even if she is oblivious to the source of the humor.  Especially now that she's two, she wants to do things by "self! self!"  Ainsley is currently obsessed with horses, but every night she goes to sleep with a variety of stuffed animals:  a kitty, a penguin, a horse, Elmo, and Nemo.  (And she insists that Tony hug and kiss each one of them before she will tell him goodnight.)  Ainsley is much more physically adventurous than her older sister was at that age -- meaning, when you can't find Ainsley on the playground, she's halfway up some ladder somewhere.  While she's pulling a bit more of the terrible-two hitting and pinching, she is also very loving.  She freely gives hugs and kisses and she is usually quick to pat Afton's back or give Afton a hug if Afton appears sad.  We've decided to keep her :).